Easy chile flavor

Chipotle chiles (smoked jalapeños), sold canned in adobo sauce, are a great trick for adding smoky spice to your cooking ― without a lot of extra work. Puréed, they're a convenient way to add flavorful heat to such dishes as our chilled tortilla soup, avocado-orange salsa, and even the marinade for chicken fajitas. For extra heat in everyday dishes, add the purée to mayonnaise for sandwiches, stir it into salads, or use it to spice up soups or salad dressings.

To make chipotle chile purée, whirl the contents of a 7-ounce can of chipotle chiles (including sauce) in a blender or food processor until smooth. Scrape into a plastic container and store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.